Month: December 2020

Sharon E. Sander, 70, of rural Farmington, passed away at 11:25 a.m. Friday, December 4, 2020, at Blessing Hospital in Quincy, Illinois.

She was born on April 15, 1950, in Mount Pleasant, Iowa ,the daughter of Richard and Grace (Ericson) Thompson. On August 31, 1975, she married John Sander at the Sharon Presbyterian Church.

Survivors include her husband: John; two daughters: Paula (Jeff) Ellis and Lori Sander; three grandchildren: Josh Ellis, Parker Ellis and Lily Gadau; three sisters: Charlotte (Dave) Spiekermeier of West Point, Iowa, Audrey Diane of Sierra Vista, Arizona and Janet (Gary) Horstman of Denmark, Iowa. Also surviving are several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother: Dean.

Sharon was a member of the West Point Presbyterian Church where she served as Elder. In the past she was a Bible School and Sunday School Teacher at the Sharon Presbyterian Church. She was a 1968 graduate of Central Lee Schools. She worked as a Home Health Aid. Sharon was her grandchildren’s biggest fan in no matter what activity they were participating. On the family farm she was known as the owner and operator of the Country Café. She loved cooking, cake decorating and helping people.

Visitation will be held from 12:00 noon to 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 9, 2020, at Schmitz Funeral Home in Donnellson. Due to Covid-19 restrictions the family will not be present.

A private Family Graveside Service will be held Thursday, December 10, 2020, at the Primrose Cemetery near Primrose with Pastor Larry Shipley officiating.

A memorial has been established in her memory and can be mailed to the Schmitz Funeral Home at:  P.O. Box 56, Donnellson, Iowa 52625.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com. The Schmitz Funeral Home of Donnellson is assisting the family with arrangements.

Elaine M. Ingwersen, 89, of Mt. Pleasant passed away on Sunday, December 6, 2020, at Park Place Elder Living Center in Mt. Pleasant.

Funeral arrangements are pending at the Murphy Funeral Home of Mt. Pleasant.

John “David” Starman, 72, of Mt. Pleasant formerly of Burlington passed away on Thursday, December 3, 2020 at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City.

David was born on July 14, 1948, in Burlington, Iowa, the son of Harvey & Martha (Steffener) Starman.

He is survived by his son, Jeremy (Jessie) Starman of Cleveland, Ohio, two grandchildren, his two brothers, Robert (Shirley) Starman of Mt. Pleasant and Dennis Starman of California and his companion of 10 years, Gloria Goodwin of Mt. Pleasant.

David is preceded in death by his parents and 12 brothers and sisters.

Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Murphy Funeral Home of Mt. Pleasant and no services are planned.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.murphyfuneralandmonuments.com

Murphy Funeral Home of Mt. Pleasant are caring for his arrangements.

Janice Sinclair, 78, died Saturday, December 5, 2020, at New London Specialty Care in New London.

Janice Eileen Whaley Sinclair was born April 25, 1942, in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, the daughter of Herman Russell and Lucille Lola Parker Whaley. She grew up in the Mt. Pleasant community and graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School in 1960. She attended Open Bible College in Des Moines for two years, and in 1970 completed one year in the nursing program at Southeastern Community College in Burlington.

Following graduation, she worked for two years at the Anderson-Erickson Dairy. She was employed at IAAP from 1966-1968. Janice had her own upholstery business for more than 20 years, Upholstery Clinic in New London and Salem and The What Not Shop in Mt. Pleasant.

On April 22, 1962, she married Russell Sinclair in Indianola, Iowa. They later divorced. She married James Cady on August 20, 1977 in New London, Iowa. They also divorced. On July 21, 1985, she married Samuel Savage in Kahoka, Missouri.

She was a member of the Oakland Mills Community Church and had been attending the New London Christian Church.

She is survived by daughter Carole Sinclair, son Rusty (Mary) Sinclair and daughter Janelle (Shane) Swails, one twin sister, Joyce Stevens, six grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Richard Whaley, Gary Whaley and one sister, Patricia Richenberger.

A service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family has established a memorial fund for the Fellowship Cup. The Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel is caring for Janice and her family. www.powellfuneralhomes.com

Gregory Balchunas, 62, of Mt. Pleasant, died Saturday, December 5, 2020, at the VA Hospital in Iowa City from COVID pneumonia.

Greg was born March 28, 1958, in Baltimore, Maryland, son of Anthony and Argriffin (Chasis) Balchunas. He graduated from Dundalk High School in Baltimore. He served in the United States Army in the 82^nd Airborne. Greg was united in marriage to Denise Speidel on November 4, 1983 in Houston, Texas. They have lived in Mt. Pleasant since 1985, where he worked for Wal-Mart Warehouse for 10 years and Goodyear for 10 years. Greg loved spending time with his family and especially his grandchildren. Greg enjoyed hunting, fishing, building, landscaping and gardening. He was a long-time church member of Faith Christian Outreach Church. He served for many years on the prayer ministry and was a prayer captain. Greg was an avid prayer warrior. Greg was a friend and mentor of many.

Greg is survived by his wife Denise of Mt. Pleasant, daughter Sarah Balchunas of Mt. Pleasant, son Travis (Liz) Balchunas of Tiffin; 2 granddaughters Alissa and Amelia Balchunas; 2 brothers, Anthony (Kathy) Balchunas of Baltimore, MD and Bruce Balchunas of Galveston, TX.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorial service will be held 10:00 a.m. Friday, December 11, 2020 at the Faith Christian Outreach Church in Mt. Pleasant. Pastor Monte Knudsen will officiate. Burial will be in the Richwoods Cemetery. There will be no visitation. Masks are mandatory for attendance. A memorial fund has been established to assist with Greg’s medical expenses. The service will be livestreamed on the Powell Funeral Homes Facebook page and at our website, www.powellfuneralhomes.com

Heather D. White, 46, of Mt. Pleasant passed away on Sunday, December 6, 2020, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City.

Funeral arrangements are pending at the Murphy Funeral Home of Mt. Pleasant.